Articulated combine with unloading and rear bogey steering architecture

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator&#39;s cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to grain harvesters (orcombines) and more particularly to an articulated grain harvester.

The subject of an articulated harvester, some of which are based oncurrent commercial grain harvester designs, is disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,317,326, 4,428,182, 6,012,272, 6,125,618, 6,339,917, 6,604,351,6,606,844, 6,604,995, 6,604,350, 6,484,485, 6,612,101, 6,233,911,6,240,711, and 6,167,982. A harvester/grain cart combination can beconverted to an “articulated” combine as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,910,845. Various grain handling and grain unloading techniques aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,143,863 and 7,198,449. The disclosures ofthese patents are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Most of the articulated combines cited above exhibit compromised designfeatures due to the design basis being limited to current commercialgrain harvester designs. For example, current commercial grain harvesterdesigns have an onboard grain bin with the forward bogey along withgrain heads, cleaners, etc. That does not make such designs faulty, asthey represent a substantial advancement in the harvester art formanufactures that want to maintain current grain harvester architecture.

A departure from the art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,272,however, in that the forward bogey is devoid of an on-board grain bin,but carries the operator's cab, engine, grain harvesting assembly, andgrain transfer assembly. The rear bogey has the on-board grain bin andsteerable powered wheel assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,917 discloses asimilar articulated combine where the forward bogey is devoid of anon-board grain bin, but carries the operator's cab, engine, grainharvesting assembly, and grain transfer assembly. The rear bogey has theon-board grain bin and a powered wheel assembly. Tracks, one wheel pair,and two wheel pairs, are illustrated for the harvester.

The presently disclosed articulated combine is based on a differentsteering philosophy for the rear bogey as well as for crabbing the rearbogey; on a different grain unloading philosophy; and other differentphilosophies, as disclosed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey havingan operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a graintransfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearwardbogey, optionally with an engine, is attached by a joint to the forwardbogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin forreceiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and agrain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes therearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axlewheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when thejoint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may beconnected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by abeam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle andactuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Another aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is an improved grainoff-loading assembly. The powered grain off-loading assembly is disposedat the bin rear for grain off-loading on either the harvester right sideor the harvester left side.

A further aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is a grain bin havinginwardly sloping sides and two rear corners formed by adjacent inwardlysloping sides. The powered grain off-loading assembly is disposed one ofthe bin rear corners and includes at least two pivotally connected grainchutes foldable from a storage position to an unloading position.

Yet another aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is a grain transferassembly that includes a grain cleaning fan that is located in front ofthe forward bogey axle and offset from the forward bogey centerline.

Yet a further aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is a forward bogeywheel assembly that is powered by a first drive system, a rearward bogeywheel assembly that is powered by a second drive system. Each of thepowered drive systems includes coordinated transmission and drivemotors.

Yet a further aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is a powered grainoff-loading assembly movable to unload grain on the right side and theleft side of the harvester. The powered grain off-loading assemblyterminates with a grain hood moveable about 180° to permit right sideand left side grain unloading.

Yet a further aspect of the disclosed grain harvester is a horizontallydisposed grain transfer chute terminated with a grain discharge end. Thegrain transfer chute rests atop a rotatable turntable assembly. Theturntable assembly in turn rests upon a linear bearing assembly. A railassembly carries the linear bearing assembly. The grain transfer chute,accordingly, can slide along and rotate about said rail assembly. Thegrain transfer chute can terminate with more than one grain dischargeend. The chute also can have grain discharge ports disposed fordischarging grain into said grain bin.

Advantages of the present apparatus include a rear bogey steering systemrequiring less power and composed of less expensive equipment. Anotheradvantage is a grain unloading system adapted for grain unloading onboth sides of the articulated combine. A further advantage is theability for the grain-receiving vehicle (e.g., semi-truck or towed graincart) operator to wirelessly control grain unloading, thus relieving theharvester operator of this operation so that the operator canconcentrate on grain harvesting. These and other advantages will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure setforth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentapparatus, reference should be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel combine (or harvester);

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the harvester depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the rear unit of the harvester depicted in FIG.1 with the grain unloading assembly in a storage (inactive) position;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the rear unit of the harvester depicted in FIG.1 with the grain unloading assembly in an unloading (active) position onone side of the harvester;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the rear unit of the harvester depicted in FIG.4 with the grain unloading assembly disposed on the other side of theharvester;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing therearward bogey;

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the rear bogey of the harvester of FIG. 1showing the stiff axle pivoting as part of the steering system;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a simplified overhead schematic of the turning geometry forthe rear bogey of the harvester of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an overhead view of the harvester depicted in FIG. 1 with thegrain unloading assembly in the position depicted in FIG. 4 andunloading grain into a grain bin, such as carried by a typical roadsemi-trailer;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the novel combine (or harvester)showing an alternative a grain transfer assembly from the forward bogeyto the rearward bogey and a new forward bogey design;

FIG. 15 is an overhead view of the harvester depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the rear unit (bogey) of the harvesterdepicted in FIG. 14 with the grain unloading assembly in a storage(inactive) position;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the rear unit (bogey) of the harvesterdepicted in FIG. 14 with the grain unloading assembly in an unloading(active) position;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the rear unit of the harvester depicted inFIG. 17 with the grain unloading assembly disposed on the other side ofthe harvester;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the alternative a grain transfer assemblyof FIGS. 14 and 15 at the forward bogey;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the alternative a grain transfer assemblyof FIGS. 14 and 15 showing the rail system for support of the horizontalconveyor segment of such alternative grain transfer assembly;

FIG. 21 is an overhead view of the harvester of FIG. 15 with the rearbogey crabbed and the grain loading assembly in an extended (active)unloading position for off-loading grain into a semi-truck hauler;

FIG. 22 is an overhead view of the harvester of FIG. 14 illustrating thedecreased turning radius that the new forward bogey provides;

FIG. 23 is like FIG. 22 with the rear bogey crabbed in the otherdirection;

FIG. 24 is the harvester of FIG. 14 with the forward bogey fitted with a16-row, 40 foot head and fitted with a corner-mounted grain unloadingassembly;

FIG. 25 is a rear view of the rear unit (bogey) of the harvesterdepicted in FIG. 14 with the grain unloading assembly in a storage(inactive) position and showing more detail of the alternative graintransfer assembly;

FIG. 26 is the harvester of FIG. 24 having the unloading assembly in anextended, unloading position and showing the grain hauler positionedbehind the 16-row head and still receiving off-loading grain; and

FIG. 27 is the harvester of FIG. 24 having a 3-segment unloadingassembly in an extended, unloading position and showing the grain haulerpositioned adjacent to the 16-row head and still receiving off-loadinggrain.

The drawings will be described in detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combine, 10, generally includesa forward unit or bogey, 12, and a rearward unit or bogey, 14. Forwardunit 12 is seen to include a cab, 15, in which the operator is seated, acornhead or small grainhead, 16, an engine compartment, 18 (two coolingfan air inlets shown in the drawings), and a powered non-steerable wheelpair, 20. Rearward unit 14 is interconnected to forward unit 12 via ajoint assembly, 22, and clean grain is transferred from forward unit 12to rearward unit 14 via a clean grain transfer assembly, 24. Rearwardunit 14 is seen to include a clean grain unloading assembly, 26, in itsstored position. Finally, rearward bogey 14 carries a grain bin, 28, andis supported by a powered wheel pair, 30. Providing the grain bincapacity only on rearward unit 14 translates into a lower center ofgravity for grain bin 28, which also enables higher storage capacity andprovides more even weight distribution. Importantly, at about 1000-1200bushel capacity of grain bin 28, combine 10 could harvest, for example,a cornfield for one mile before unloading. Capacity in excess ofrequirement means that harvester 10 can harvest for even greaterdistances before unloading.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, wheel pair 30 is seen connected by apivotable (see FIG. 7), stiff axle, 30. Clean grain unloading assembly26 is seen carried at the rear of and by rear bogey 14. In particular,grain unloading assembly 26 is composed of a pair of chutes, 32 and 34,that fold/unfold about a pivot bracket, 36. In the stored positiondepicted in FIG. 3, chutes 32 and 34 have been disconnected and folded.In the unload (active) position depicted in FIG. 4, chutes 32 and 34have been connected in grain transfer position by the rotation of chute32 about pivot bracket 36. Pivoting is accomplished by a cylinderassembly, 38, connected to chute 34. A cylinder assembly, 40, connectedto chute 32 positions unfolded grain unloading assembly 26 in theposition needed for unloading clean grain in bin 28. A hood, 42, isdisposed at the outlet of chute 34 for directing movement and locationof the clean grain being unloaded. Hood 42 is rotatable about 180° toaccommodate grain unloading on both sides of harvester 10.

Grain unloading assembly 26 is connected to rear bogey 14 by a pivotmount, 44. FIG. 5 shows grain unloading assembly 26 rotated about pivotmount 44 to the opposition side of rear bogey 14 for unloading grain onthe other side of the harvester 10 by merely appropriate movement ofcylinders 38 and 40. The novel grain unloading assembly, then, has thecapability of unloading grain on either side of the harvester and ofbeing folded into a compact storage position when not unloading cleangrain.

The operation of forward bogey 12 essentially follows the description inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,012,272 and 6,339,917. Transfer of clean grain fromforward bogey 12 to grain bin 28 of rearward bogey 14 can beaccomplished by a variety of designs. A currently available such cleangrain transfer design is illustrated in FIG. 6. In particular, cleangrain transfer assembly 24 commences with clean grain passing via theinfluence of gravity down a chute, 46, into a hopper, 48, carried by thelower front end of rear bogey 14. An opening, 50, in rear bogey 14communicates between bin 48 and a grain elevator, 52, disposed insidethe forward end of rear bogey 14.

Grain elevator 52 can utilize a variety of grain transfer mechanisms,such as for example, an auger, paddles, etc., and the particular graintransfer mechanism selected is unimportant. Illustrated in FIG. 6, is apaddle train transfer assembly that conveys clean grain upwardly throughgrain elevator 52 and out a hood, 54, and shoots the clean grain intobin 28.

Once the operator desires to unload clean grain from bin 28, theoperator actuates a horizontal grain transfer assembly, 56, located inthe bottom section of bin 28. Again, a paddled conveyor grain transferassembly is illustrated for grain transfer assembly 56; although theskilled artisan will appreciate that an auger or other mechanism couldbe used with equal effectiveness. Grain transfer assembly 56 moves cleangrain housed in bin 28 towards the rear of rear bogey 14, out anopening, 58, and into clean grain unloading assembly 26 for unloading ofthe clean grain.

Turning of harvester 10 involves the use of joint assembly 22, which isfitted with a pair of a pair of steering cylinders, 60 and 62, asillustrated in FIG. 7. Such steering cylinders are conventionally usedto assist in the steering of articulated vehicles and are provided herefor such steering use in the present articulated combine design. Suchsteering cylinders are designed to provide about 38° turning ofharvester 10. In order to add an extra about 12° of turning and in orderto crab rear bogey 14, a supplemental steering assembly is provided.

The supplemental steering assembly is includes pivoting stiff axle 32which is attached to one end a cylinder assembly, 64, which cylinderassembly is attached at its other end to a frame, 66, of rear bogey 14.Stiff axle 32 in turn pivots about another joint, 68, which is disposedabout ten feet or so from stiff axle 32 in a beam, 70 that connectsstiff axle 32 to joint assembly 22. Cylinder assemblies 60, 62, and 64cooperate to provide full turning capacity for harvester 10 and crabbingof rear bogey 14, such as for unloading of clean grain from clean grainbin 28.

Harvester 10 is illustrated using the design of joint assembly 22illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,917, the descriptiontherein being repeated here for certainty. Beam 70 is attached torearward unit 14 at one end and is constructed as, for example, a roundpipe or structural tube. A shaft, 72, extends from beam 70 towardsforward unit 12 and is inserted into a bearing retainer assembly, 80,which is inserted between an upper frame member, 74, and a lower framemember, 76. These frame members 74 and 76 are bolted to forward unit 12via bolts, not shown; although, other attachment means certainly can beenvisioned. Each frame member 74 and 76 has an inner recess thatconfronts the corresponding recess in the other and into which isinserted bearing retainer assembly 80.

Bearing retainer assembly 80 has a pair of nibs or ears that fit intoframe members 74 and 76 recesses and which ride on tapered rollerbearings, 82 a-82 b to provide sideways movement to units 12 and 14 viaframe 70. Such sideways movement aids in steering of combine 10. A holepenetrates through bearing retainer assembly 80 into which areduced-diameter threaded end of shaft 72 fits and is secured. Now,thrust bearings, 86 and 88, fit into counterbores that adjoin the holethrough bearing retainer assembly 80 and which thrust bearings permitshaft 72 to rotate and which, thus, enables units 12 and 14 to rotatewith respect to each other. Such rotation permits units 12 and 14 totraverse uneven terrain during harvesting or other movement of combine10. Note, however, that beam 70 and shaft 72 are not permitted to movein a vertical direction due to the construction of joint assembly 22. Itshould be understood that the connection of joint 22 could be thereverse of that connection depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. That is, beam 70could be attached to forward unit 12 rather than rearward unit 14.

Additional thrust bearings have been added to take up the additionalseparational forces that joint 22 sees due to taped roller bearings 86and 88. Frame members 74 and 76 are removably attached to beam 70 thatis connected to rear unit 14. Additionally, spacers, 81, are held inplace by threaded bolts, 83 and 85, which fit through holes in framemembers 74 and 76, respectively. Frame members 74/76 also have aperturesinto which flanged plug assemblies, 90 and 92, are placed and heldsecurely by threaded members, 94 and 96, respectively. Recesses adjacentthe apertures in frame members 74/76 contain races into which thrustbearings, 98 and 100, respectively fit and are retained by the flaredheads of flanged plugs 102 and 104. Flanged plug assemblies 102 and 104include spacers (not shown in the drawings) to ensure that taperedroller bearings 86 and 88 are not excessively pre-loaded when flangedplugs 102 and 104 are tightened and washers (not shown in the drawings)are provided for the flanges of plugs 86 and 88 to bear against whentightened. While joint 22 is illustrated as being about 6″ in height inFIGS. 8 and 9, a 12″ high joint assembly may absorb and withstand theexpected forces placed on joint 22.

In FIG. 10, beam 70, composed of a beam section, 70A, and a beamsection, 70B, is seen interrupted by pivot joint 68. Beam section 70Bcarries a pair of plates, 105 and 106, which is held in place by a pairof bolt assemblies, 107 and 109. Beam section 70A in held to plates 105and 106 by a pair of roller bearing assemblies, 111, and 113, whichpermit beam section 70A to rotate with respect to beam section 70B. Itshould be noted that plates 105 and 106 restrain vertical movementbetween beams 70A and 70B. Other joint assemblies, of course, could beused. In FIG. 11, frame 66 is shown along with a turntable, 110, and aninterposed low friction material pad, 611, supporting stiff axle 32.Movement of stiff axle 32, then, results in movement of beam section 70Aabout pivot 68.

Turning of harvester 10 by the combination of articulation cylindersassemblies 60 and 62, coupled with pivoting of stiff axle 32 about pivot68, is illustrated in FIG. 12, where a simplified overhead view ofharvester 10 is illustrated. The center of turning is a point 200. Theradius for wheel pair 20 for forward bogey 12 is radius 202. Asillustrated in FIG. 12, articulation cylinders 60 and 62 have beenrotated to their maximum extent of, say about 38°. During this initialturn, the radius of wheel pair 30 of rear bogey 14 is radius, 204. Atthat time, cylinder assembly 64 is extended to pivot stiff axle 32 aboutpivot joint assembly 68, which changes the radius of wheel pair 30 toradius 206. Another, say, about 10° of turn has been added to harvester10. For crabbing rearward bogey 14, the operator need only actuatecylinder assembly 32, while continuing to drive forward bogey 12 in astraight line, such as is illustrated in FIG. 13.

With reference to FIGS. 14-27, two important new features areillustrated. These features are different than for the harvesterdescribed in FIGS. 1-13. One of these features is the grain transferassembly that transfers grain from the forward bogey to the rear bogey.The second feature is the redesigned forward bogey making it about 4feet shorter than current commercial harvesters and than the forwardbogey design in FIGS. 1-13.

Turning to the alternative grain transfer assembly embodiment and FIGS.14, 15, 19, and 20, an articulated harvester, 210, is composed of aforward bogey, 212, and a rear bogey, 214. Rear bogey 214 nominally isthe same as bogey 14 described above, but for the difference that willbe set forth below. In particular, a grain transfer assembly, 216, iscomposed of a generally vertical transfer section, 218, carried byforward bogey 212 and a generally horizontal transfer section, 220carried by rearward bogey 214. Together, grain transfer sections 218 and220 transfer clean grain from forward bogey 212 into the grain cartassembly of rearward bogey 214.

In particular, generally vertical transfer section 218 can be an augerassembly, enclosed paddle conveyer, or any other grain transfer assemblythat is able to vertically transfer clean grain. Generally horizontaltransfer section 220 can be an auger assembly, enclosed paddle conveyer,or any other grain transfer assembly that is able to horizontallytransfer clean grain. FIG. 16 depicts an enclosed auger assembly, 222,as the grain transfer device for generally horizontal section 220.

A joint assembly, 224, connects sections 218 and 220, as seen in FIG.19. Joint assembly 224 is pivotally connected to upstanding section 218by a pivot connection, 226, which permits horizontal section 220 to moveup and down, such as by the rear bogey moving over uneven ground. Jointassembly 224 is connected to horizontal section 220 by another pivotconnection, 228, which permits horizontal section 220 to move laterally(side-to-side), such as when rear bogey 214 is crabbed. Together jointconnections 228 and 228 permit relative movement of sections 218 and 220in the pitch axis and in the yaw axis.

In order to accommodate such bi-axis movement, horizontal section 220 ismounted atop a rail assembly, 230, as revealed in FIG. 20, whichincludes rail and support. Disposed between section 220 and railassembly 230 is a turntable assembly, 215, that includes a turntablemounted atop a linear bearing, 229. Such rail mount assembly permitsjoint assembly 224 to move along the longitudinal extent of rear bogey214 as it crabs, rides over uneven terrain, etc. Such design alsopermits yaw axis movement by virtue of the turntable disposed atop thelinear bearing structure in turntable assembly 215. Linear bearing 229permits section 220 to rotate about rail 230. Finally, improved filingof grain bin 28 with grain can be achieved by a number of techniques,such as, for example, disposing slots (such as, for example, elongatedslots, 233 a and 233 b, which may be, for example, about 4″×12″) on thesides of section 220, having section 220 terminate with more than oneend discharge chute, and like multiple discharge points.

Referring again to FIGS. 16-18, a different embodiment of the cleangrain unloading assembly, 232, is shown in its stowed position (FIG.16), in a left unloading position (FIG. 17), and in a right unloadingposition (FIG. 18). In particular, unloading assembly 232 is composed ofa pair of chutes, 234 and 236, that fold/unfold about a pivot bracket,238. A hood, 240, terminates chute 236. Chutes 234 and 236 are movedfrom a stowed position to an unloading position with the aid ofhydraulic cylinders, 242 and 244. Cylinder 242 works through a bellcrank arm assembly, 246, so that it will not go past center and lock up.A locking mechanism also can be added in the unloading position so thathydraulic pressure alone is not responsible to support distal chute 236.

The second important difference between the forward bogey of FIGS. 1-13and 14-27 is the length of forward bogey 212. Designers of conventionalcombines are always dealing with the need for bigger grain tanks, axleweight distribution, and the addition of 20,000 pounds of grain as thetank fills. Also, as cornheads get wider, they get heavier and areapproaching 10,000 pounds in weight. Therefor, total weight on the frontaxle becomes one of the biggest constraints in conventional combinedesigns. Engineers have combated this problem by positioning the frontaxle as far forward as possible; thus, shifting more weight to the rearaxle. The rear axle has the built in weight carrying limitation that itmust turn and provide all the steering.

A direct result of this axle design is that the cleaning fan, which isapproximately 24 inches in diameter by 54 inches long, must be placedbehind the front axle and behind the transmission. The transmission is a4-speed gearbox with differential whose input is from the propulsionhydraulic motor and its outputs go to final drive single reductiongearboxes tucked into the drive wheels. The transmission is hung off theback of the front axle at its centerline.

These constraints and location of major components dictate where thegrain cleaning process can start along the longitudinal axis, since itis must be to the rear of the cleaning fan in a conventional design.This adds approximately 48 inches to the length of the combine, whichprovides no useful function.

Since the disclosed design has no grain tank on the front module, theforward axle can be moved towards the rear and still make it awheel-to-wheel spanning axle, as opposed to stub axles and a spanningframe. A cleaning fan, 211 (see FIG. 14), can be moved to the front sideof the forward axle with its output duct, 213, passing under the frontaxle directly into the cleaning sieves. The conventional cleaningsection can be moved forward, such that all grain coming through thethreshing section concaves immediately and starts to be cleaned by thesieves. This design eliminates the 4 feet of nonessential combinelength. This extra, viz. 4 feet, now is taken up by a group of augers ora stepped oscillating pan which moves the threshed material and grainrearward to the cleaning section sieves.

The transmission now can be mounted either in front of or in back of theforward axle and offset to one side of the machine centerline to alloweasier passage of the cleaning fan duct. Such design is depicted inFIGS. 14-27, where the articulation cylinders are omitted forconvenience. In particular, FIG. 16 illustrates a hydraulic drive motor,235, mounted behind a stiff axle, 239, and connected to a final drive,237. Such design of a drive motor and transmission mounted behind anaxle can be used for each of the 4 wheel assemblies on the front andrear bogies, combinations of such wheel assemblies, or on each wheelpair. A direct consequence of a shorter forward bogey or module is amuch shorter turning radius, as can be seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, whereangle α is about 38°. Note should be taken of the chamfering of the rearof the forward bogey to accommodate the forward section of the rearbogey as the turn is made. It should be further noted that the rearbogey also could carry an internal combustion or other engine forrunning the hydraulics.

FIG. 21 depicts grain unloading according to the design in FIGS. 14-23.In particular, a semi-truck, 248, is stationed adjacent to harvester210. Rear bogey 214 has been crabbed slightly towards semi 248 and grainunloader 232 has been unfurled to an unload position towards semi 248.Unloading can take place while harvester 210 is stationary or movingforward while harvesting.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-27, it is noteworthy that a 16-row, 40-footcornhead, 250, is shown being carried by forward bogey 212. Unloadingissues are created by this and even wider cornheads and grainheads, aswill be discussed below. Also shown, is an alternative rearward grainbogey, 252, which has 4 inwardly sloping sides (see FIG. 25) for gravityfeeding of grain to a rear corner mounted grain transfer chute, 256,which is the first of two chutes that comprise a grain unloadingassembly, 254. Also seen in FIG. 25, is a saddle, 251, for retaining thedistal chute of grain unloader 254 when in a storage position.

As seen in FIG. 26, a tractor pulled grain cart, 258, can be filled withgrain from rear bogey 252 using unloading assembly 254 in an extended(unloading) position. The tractor is shown in phantom stationed behindgrainhead 250, which extends a great distance to the side of theharvester. No crabbing of rear bogey 252 is needed. Were grain unloadinginitiated from the forward bogey, it would be very difficult, if notimpossible, to pull the tractor/grain cart along side the combine forunloading. With grainheads approaching 60 feet in overall width, theadvantage for grain unloading from the rear of rear bogey 252 becomeseven more important.

In FIG. 27, semi-truck 248 is pulled alongside 40-foot grainhead 250 andrear bogey 252 is crabbed towards the semi. Also, a tri-fold grainunloading assembly, 260, is used to off-load grain. The number offoldable sections provided for the grain unloading assembly isimmaterial and is within the purview of the harvester designer.

The front and rear module ground drive systems can be symmetrical withrespect to tire size, tire centerline, transmissions, hydrostatic drivemotors, and pumps. The separate pumps can be cross-ported on theiroutputs to insure load sharing between the two systems. The twotransmissions will be shifted simultaneously by a positive system, whichcan be air, hydraulic, or electrically powered. The advantage of twotransmissions, two differentials, and a two-drive motor system, is thatthe two hydrostatic systems are available over the entire vehicle speedrange and are always operating at their highest possible efficiencyregardless of vehicle speed.

Alternately, one of the axle's wheels could be driven by direct drive,wheel supporting motors with no final drive gearbox or by two motorsdriving into the final drive gearbox with no transmission anddifferential on that axle.

Hydraulic motors, valves, and related equipment can be used to actuatethe cylinder assemblies. It should be appreciated also that some and/orall of the hydraulic motors, valves, pumps, and the like, can bereplaced by pneumatic motors and associated equipment, electric motorsand associated equipment, or by any other power generating device orsystem, so long as the design and operation remains with the precepts ofthe present disclosure.

While the apparatus and system have been described with reference tovarious embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of thedisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosurewithout departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that the disclosure not be limited to the particularembodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In thisapplication all units are in the US measurement system and all amountsand percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated.Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

1. In an articulated harvester, which comprises: (a) a forward bogeyhaving an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, agrain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and(b) a rearward bogey attached by a joint to said forward bogey andhaving a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receivinggrain from said forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grainoff-loading assembly, the improvement which comprises: (c) said rearwardbogey powered wheel assembly comprising a powered stiff axle wheelassembly pivotable for steering said articulated harvester when saidjoint has articulated by a defined number of degrees.
 2. The articulatedharvester of claim 1, wherein said joint is connected to said rearwardbogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a secondjoint disposed ahead of said stiff axle and actuatable to crab saidarticulated harvester.
 3. The articulated harvester of claim 1, whereinsaid rearward bogey grain off-loading assembly is affixed to the rear ofsaid rearward bogey and is disposed to off-load grain on both sides ofthe rearward bogey.
 4. The articulated harvester of claim 2, whereinsaid crabbing is wirelessly remote controlled.
 5. The articulatedharvester of claim 1, wherein said grain off-loading is wirelesslyremote controlled.
 6. The articulated harvester of claim 1, wherein alow friction material pad is disposed atop said stiff axle.
 7. Thearticulated harvester of claim 1, which further comprises: (d) saidgrain transfer assembly including a horizontally disposed grain transferchute terminated with a grain discharge end; (e) a rotatable turntableassembly upon which said grain transfer chute rests; and (f) a linearbearing assembly upon which said turntable assembly rests; and (g) arail assembly which carries said linear bearing assembly, whereby, saidgrain transfer chute can slide along and rotate about said railassembly.
 8. An improved harvester having a grain bin from whichharvested grain is unloaded by a powered grain off-loading assembly,said harvester having a front including a grainhead, a right side, aleft side, and a rear whereat said grain bin is disposed, the improvedgrain off-loading assembly which comprises: said powered grainoff-loading assembly disposed at the bin rear for grain off-loading oneither the harvester right side or the harvester left side.
 9. Theimproved harvester of claim 8, which has a forward bogey and a rearwardbogey, said rearward bogey having said grain bin.
 10. The improvedharvester of claim 8, wherein said powered grain off-loading assemblycomprises at least two pivotally connected grain chutes foldable from astorage position to an unloading position.
 11. An improved harvesterhaving a grain bin from which harvested grain is unloaded by a poweredgrain off-loading assembly, said harvester having a front including agrainhead, a right side, a left side, and a rear whereat said grain binis disposed, the improved grain off-loading assembly which comprises:(a) said grain bin having inwardly sloping sides and two rear cornersformed by adjacent inwardly sloping sides; (b) said powered grainoff-loading assembly disposed one of said bin rear corners andcomprising at least two pivotally connected grain chutes foldable from astorage position to an unloading position.
 12. The improved harvester ofclaim 11, which has a forward bogey and a rearward bogey, said rearwardbogey having said grain bin.
 13. In articulated harvester, whichcomprises: (a) a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, agrain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, a grain separatingand cleaning assembly, an axle, and a centerline running, but beingdevoid of an on-board grain bin; and (b) a rearward bogey attached by ajoint to said forward bogey and having a powered wheel assembly, anon-board grain bin for receiving grain from said forward bogey graintransfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly, the improvementwhich comprises: (c) said grain separating and cleaning assemblyincluding a grain cleaning fan that is located in front of the forwardbogey axle and offset from the forward bogey centerline.
 14. Thearticulated harvester of claim 13, wherein said forward bogey has atransmission that is located ahead of or behind said forward bogey axleand offset opposite of said grain fan.
 15. In articulated harvester,which comprises: (a) a forward bogey having an operator's cab, anengine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and awheel assembly but being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and (b) arearward bogey attached by a joint to said forward bogey and having apowered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain fromsaid forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loadingassembly, the improvement which comprises: (c) said forward bogey wheelassembly is powered by a first drive system; (d) said rearward bogeywheel assembly is powered by a second drive system; each of said powereddrive systems including coordinated transmission and drive motors. 16.An improved harvester having a grain bin from which harvested grain isunloaded by a powered grain off-loading assembly, said harvester havinga front including a grainhead, a right side, a left side, and a rearwhereat said grain bin is disposed, the improved grain off-loadingassembly which comprises: (a) said powered grain off-loading assemblymovable to unload grain on said right side and said left side; and (b)said powered grain off-loading assembly terminated with a grain hoodmoveable about 180° to permit said right side and left side grainunloading.
 17. The improved harvester of claim 16, which has a forwardbogey and a rearward bogey, said rearward bogey having said grain bin.18. In articulated harvester, which comprises: (a) a forward bogeyhaving an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, agrain transfer assembly, and a wheel assembly but being devoid of anon-board grain bin; and (b) a rearward bogey attached by a joint to saidforward bogey and having a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain binfor receiving grain from said forward bogey grain transfer assembly, anda grain off-loading assembly, the improvement wherein said graintransfer assembly comprises: (c) a horizontally disposed grain transferchute terminated with a grain discharge end; (d) a rotatable turntableassembly upon which said grain transfer chute rests; and (e) a linearbearing assembly upon which said turntable assembly rests; and (f) arail assembly which carries said linear bearing assembly, whereby, saidgrain transfer chute can slide along and rotate about said railassembly.
 19. The articulated harvester of claim 18, wherein said graintransfer chute is terminated with more than one grain discharge end. 20.The articulated harvester of claim 18, wherein said chute has graindischarge ports disposed for discharging grain into said grain bin. 21.The articulated harvester of claim 18, wherein said horizontallydisposed grain transfer chute is connected to a generally upstandinggrain transfer chute carried by said forward bogey by a grain transferjoint assembly, said joint assembly being pivotally connected to saidupstanding grain transfer chute to permit said horizontally disposedgrain transfer chute to move up and down, said joint assembly also beingpivotally connected to said horizontally disposed grain transfer chuteto permit said horizontally disposed grain transfer chute to moveside-to-side.